Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain Since 2002
While the full agenda hasn't been set yet, we can promise good food, lots of excitement, a live auction, a silent auction, a lot of fun games such as the Chipped Horn and the Head Butt, and numerous Opportunity Drawings.
The very special 25th Annual Fundraiser Gala is coming. Please ink it on your calendar now. It wouldn't be the same without you!
Save the date, May 1, 2027.
Will have a brand new venue by popular request - Santa Rosa, California. Yes we are inviting you to spend a weekend in a vacation hotspot you can customize to your liking. You pick family friendly activities or a bit of romance at a local winery to round out your weekend, centered around the fundraiser.
This will be a great conservationists party! Come for the fun, stay to win something or just contribute valuable funds to Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountains of California. We are promising more sheep hunting opportunities, with great odds of winning!
We have already started taking donations for our Stone Sheep 2027 Opportunity Drawing. You might want to start now buying a ticket or two every month, giving you great odds of winning.
Save the date, May 1, 2027.
Will have a brand new venue by popular request - Santa Rosa, California. Yes we are inviting you to spend a weekend in a vacation hotspot you can customize to your liking. You pick family friendly activities or a bit of romance at a local winery to round out your weekend, centered around the fundraiser.
This will be a great conservationists party! Come for the fun, stay to win something or just contribute valuable funds to Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountains of California. We are promising more sheep hunting opportunities, with great odds of winning!
We have already started taking donations for our Stone Sheep 2027 Opportunity Drawing. You might want to start now buying a ticket or two every month, giving you great odds of winning.
May 1st, 2027
Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
New Leaders, Old Faces
Long time member and volunteer Jim Fitzgerald has stepped up to be the leader and president of our organization. We are thankful for Jim and his continuing contributions. He has been a key part of our fundraiser organization for many years and we are sure he'll handle this new responsibility with aplomb.
Former president for many years, Don Martin, THANK YOU! You were great and inspiring and have brought us to new heights. We are glad to have you continuing on as VP North, and no your input will be valued at board meetings and helping with future events and decisions.
See the Leadership page for a complete update on board changes.
Former president for many years, Don Martin, THANK YOU! You were great and inspiring and have brought us to new heights. We are glad to have you continuing on as VP North, and no your input will be valued at board meetings and helping with future events and decisions.
See the Leadership page for a complete update on board changes.
Member Honored For Dedication
STEVEN G. TORRES, CA WSF BOARD MEMBER, HONORED WITH DESERT RAM AWARD
The award is inscribed with the following tribute:
“For a lifetime of unselfish dedication and commitment working with agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, the academic community, and professional societies on behalf of desert bighorn sheep. Your numerous contributions to science, willingness to mentor young scientists, and your ability to resolve disagreements and conflict. Your support of scientific rigor as being foundational to successful conservation and your capable leadership of California’s Bighorn Sheep Conservation Program.”
Ask yourself, what have YOU done to earn an award for your contributions to North American Wild Sheep? It is not too late to make a lifetime of difference.
The award is inscribed with the following tribute:
“For a lifetime of unselfish dedication and commitment working with agencies, wildlife conservation organizations, the academic community, and professional societies on behalf of desert bighorn sheep. Your numerous contributions to science, willingness to mentor young scientists, and your ability to resolve disagreements and conflict. Your support of scientific rigor as being foundational to successful conservation and your capable leadership of California’s Bighorn Sheep Conservation Program.”
Ask yourself, what have YOU done to earn an award for your contributions to North American Wild Sheep? It is not too late to make a lifetime of difference.
Featured Donor - Lathrop & Sons
The hunt is never over, whether for a new season, or to be more comfortable in the field as we age, have you considered trying new boots?
Awesome New Aurora Water System Installed
The Give a Lamb a Drink Foundation (GALAD) has funded and with the help of many friends completed a brand new large scale drinker on State Lands. The first of many in a new era of plentiful sites approved!
Read about the Aurora drinker installation.
Read about the Aurora drinker installation.
Drinker Enhancement & Water Drop
The Give a Lamb a Drink Foundation (GALAD) has funded and with the help of many friends completed a capacity enhancement and restock of a historic drinker.
Read about our success on the Fay Dee drinker!
Read about our success on the Fay Dee drinker!
You Were Represented at the California Wild Sheep Summit XXXV December 9, 2024
CA WSF hosted Sheep Summit XXXV on December 9, 2024. These bi-annual summits have proven to be a valuable interactive event. Summit XXXVI is scheduled for April 25, 2025 in Sacramento.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS for Sheep Summit XXXV included CDFW, USFS, USBLM, NPS-MNP, NPS-JT, Twentynine Palms Marine Base, China Lake Naval Station, Mine reclamations, CA WSF, and SCBS.
The purpose of these summits is “to accomplish more collectively for Desert Bighorn in CA through sharing and collaboration, than the sum of what each organization can accomplish individually.” This is our previously committed COLLECTIVE VISION FOR WILD SHEEP IN CALIFORNIA:
Historic Drinker Installation
The Give a Lamb a Drink Foundation (GALAD) has funded and completed the first water project construction through the state lands lease water project program in conjunction with the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep. Thanks to all of the volunteers who attended the building of this historic project. It marks a new era of wildlife project construction that can now go forward unimpeded by the problematic California Environmental Quality Act known as CEQA.
Video is now available of the project.
Video is now available of the project.
Distinguished Life Member Ben Gordon Honored at GSCO National Convention
CA WSF Director, Ben Gordon, was recognized for achieving his Super Slam and Pinnacle Awards.
Congratulations, Ben! The level of commitment, effort, and passion is astounding.
Below you can see just a small sample of his recent hunting escapades.
Congratulations, Ben! The level of commitment, effort, and passion is astounding.
Below you can see just a small sample of his recent hunting escapades.
Distinguished Life Member Mike Borel Honored at National Convention
At the opening dinner on the main stage Gray N. Thornton, Ike Eastman, and Donald C. Martin came together to present the prestigious "Gordon Eastman Gras Roots Award". The honoree was none other than our own Mike Borel, who was a founding member of the chapter and has maintained continuous involvement in leadership positions ever since. Pictures and video to follow.
Congratulations Mike, richly deserved!
Congratulations Mike, richly deserved!
Life Member Vernon C. Bleich, PhD Honored with the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award
The Aldo Leopold Conservation Award was established by the American Society of Mammalogists in 2002 to honor recipients who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation of mammals and mammalian biodiversity. Prominent individuals receiving this prestigious award include Edward O. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier, George B. Schaller, Helene Marsh, Herbert Prinz, and Joel Berger.
The 2023 recipient of the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award is Chapter Life Member Vernon C. Bleich, who has spent his career making important and lasting contributions to the conservation of mountain sheep and other large mammals. Vern is a Life Member of the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and a Boone and Crockett Club Professional Member.
You may not know, Vernon earned his Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
The 2023 recipient of the Aldo Leopold Conservation Award is Chapter Life Member Vernon C. Bleich, who has spent his career making important and lasting contributions to the conservation of mountain sheep and other large mammals. Vern is a Life Member of the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and a Boone and Crockett Club Professional Member.
You may not know, Vernon earned his Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
National Convention Report
We were at National Convention in Reno mid-January. Thanks to all the members who stopped by, purchased raffle tickets, purchased tables for the upcoming fundraiser, and otherwise supported the group and our mission.
Important Change to <1 Club Requirements
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Taking an Aoudad under free-range conditions in North America does not disqualify a hunter from <1 Club membership. More information.
2024 Drinker Installation
Drinkers Improve Sheep Habitat
Sight Preparation is Key to Success
Heavy Equipment Helps
Doing Whatever it Takes
Many Hands Makes for Light Work
What We Do
Mission
Helping Wildlife During Droughts
Our Drinkers Benefit All Wildlife
Improve Habitat
Protect Wild Sheep
Help Wild Sheep Thrive
Fund Research
Help Wild Sheep Thrive
Science Based Conservation
Help Wild Sheep Thrive
Partner With Others
How to Help
Get Involved
Contribute to Give a Lamb a Drink (GALAD)
Make Friends
Improve Habit
Help Maintain Drinkers & Tanks
Raise Funds
Build Drinkers
Inspire Youth
2002 - 2024 California Wild Sheep Foundation
CA FNAWS, doing business as California Wild Sheep Foundation or CA WSF, is a nonprofit organization and donations may be tax deductible. CA FNAWS tax identification number is 68-0481140.
Please mail donations to CAWSF, 1630 Williams Hwy #151, Grants Pass, OR. 97527.
Please mail donations to CAWSF, 1630 Williams Hwy #151, Grants Pass, OR. 97527.